Long Branch teen uses rifle to slaughter family on New Year’s Eve, cops say

LONG BRANCH — A 16-year-old boy is in custody after he shot and killed three relatives and a friend living in the home with a semi-automatic rifle on New Year's Eve, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The suspect was quickly taken into custody by Long Branch and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department, according to Gramiccioni, who would not disclose the identity of the gunman because he is underage and had not yet been charged. He said the arrest was "uneventful."

Gramiccioni, however, said they will seek to try the teen as an adult on four counts of first-degree murder and a charge of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.

The gun, described as a Century Arms semi-automatic rifle, was legally registered to a member of the family, according to Gramiccioni.

The teen is expected to appear before a Superior Court judge Tuesday morning.